Many counties use property tax bills as a mechanism to levy fees and other assessments for solid waste, storm water, street lights, speedbumps and fire services. HB 159 prohibits counties from placing any fees or assessments on the property tax bill. It also requires partial payments to be applied to ad valorem taxes before any fees.

If your county currently places fees or assessments on the property tax bills or would like to preserve your ability to have this option in the future, please contact your Representatives and let them know how this change will impact your county. Eliminating this option will increase delinquencies on fee-based revenues. In addition, this change will increase administrative and postage costs for processing and mailing separate bills.

This legislation rewrites Georgia law regarding how forfeitures and “drug” money are seized, allocated and utilized. This statute is one of law enforcement's most effective tools in bringing down criminal enterprises. Under current law, the district attorney, through a judicial process, can seize cars, cash and other property of drug dealers and other criminals. The funds and property are used for law enforcement training, equipment and investigative expenses.

Under current law, property, money and other things of value linked to certain crimes (e.g., those related to drugs and organized crime) may be seized and a forfeiture action may be commenced by the district attorney. Depending upon the amount of assets, the court may order that the property be sold and distributed or the district attorney may institute anon-judicial proceeding.

Tell your legislators that HB 1:

Alters the streamlined process for forfeitures under $25,000. This legislation would lower that amount to $5,000 which increases costs for counties.

Increases the administrative requirements on the district attorney’s office.

Removes the 25% cap on the amount of forfeiture and seizures that state agencies can receive.